About Emmett Dalton (Dalton Gang)

Emmett Dalton (May 3, 1871 – July 13, 1937) was an American outlaw, train robber and member of the Dalton Gang in the American Old West. Part of the ill-fated Dalton raid on two banks in Coffeyville, Kansas, he survived despite receiving 23 gunshot wounds. After serving 14 years in prison for the crime, Dalton capitalized on his notoriety to author books and become an actor in Hollywood.

Early life & career

Dalton was born to Lewis and Adeline Dalton and was the youngest of the Dalton brothers.

The Dalton Gang's criminal enterprise was ended on October 5, 1892 when they attempted to rob two banks at once in Coffeyville, Kansas. Four of the gang were killed in the ensuing gun fight. Emmett Dalton survived the raid but received 23 gunshot wounds (as referenced on Q102). He was given a life sentence in the penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas and pardoned after fourteen years. He moved to California and became a real estate agent, author and actor, dying at the age of sixty-six. He was married to Julia Johnson Dalton, who survived him. They had no children.

In 1918, he portrayed himself in the movie version of his book Beyond the Law.[3]

In 1931, he published When the Daltons Rode, which was later made into a 1940 movie starring Randolph Scott. Emmett Dalton was portrayed by Frank Albertson.

In popular culture

In 1954, the actor Robert Bray played Emmett Dalton in the episode "The Dalton Gang" of the syndicated western television series, Stories of the Century, starring Jim Davis as fictitious Southwestern Railroad detective Matt Clark. The actor Tyler MacDuff portrayed Emmett Dalton in the 1957 episode of the CBS documentary drama series You Are There entitled "The End of the Dalton Gang (October 5, 1892)."

A caricature of Dalton appeared in the 1954 Lucky Luke album Hors-la-loi where he's depicted as the tallest of the Dalton brothers. In the album the disastrous double bank robbery of Coffeyville, Kansas is depicted but different to what took place, Emmett Dalton is seen killed along with his brothers which also include Bill Dalton who actually never took part in the raid. Emmet's grave is pictured in the final panel of the story alongside his brothers and a sign that says "The Daltons died without taking their boots off" Each grave has the hat of the respective owner placed on the Crucifix with Bob Dalton's being shredded with bullet holes. Emmett reappears on a wanted poster in Les Cousins Dalton his character of tallest of the Dalton Brothers being taken over by Averell Dalton

In a mid eighties interview with spirou magazine author Maurice De Bevere Also known as Morris admitted that reading Emmett's book "When the Daltons rode" was his inspiration to create the comic version of the Dalton Brothers.

Emmett Dalton (May 3, 1871 – July 13, 1937) was a train robber and member of the Dalton Gang in the American Old West. He was born to Lewis and Adeline Dalton and was the youngest of the Dalton brothers.

The Dalton Gang's criminal enterprise was ended on October 5, 1892 when they attempted to rob two banks at once in Coffeyville, Kansas. Four of the gang were killed in the ensuing gun fight. Emmett Dalton survived the raid but received 23 gunshot wounds. He was given a life sentence in the penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas and pardoned after fourteen years. He moved to California and became a real estate agent, author and actor, dying at the age of sixty-six. He was married to Julia Johnson Dalton, who survived him. They had no children.

In 1918, he portrayed himself in the movie version of his book Beyond the Law.

In 1931, he published When the Daltons Rode, which was later made into a 1940 movie starring Randolph Scott. Emmett Dalton was portrayed by Frank Albertson.

Emmett was with his brothers, Bob and Grat and the two other gang members, Texas Jack Broadwell and Bill Powers, when they attempted to rob the First National and C.M. Condon Banks simutaniously on October 5, 1892. Taking up arms, the Coffeyville citzens aborted the gang's attempt and all but Emmet lost their lives in the gun battle.

Emmett was sentenced to life in the state prison at Lansing, Kansas, by Judge J.D. McCue of the Montgomery County District Court for second degree murder. He spent 15 years in prison in Kansas State Prison, before winning a pardon in 1907. The remaining years of Emmett’s life were spent on the stage, writing a book on the family and the Raid "When the Daltons Rode" in 1931 and as a real estate developer in California. He died in Los Angeles on July 13, 1937.

Emmett married Julia Johnson Lewis on September 1, 1908 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. In 1910 he bacame a special Peace Officer in Tulsa, Oklahoma.